Combined cigarette dispensing apparatus and lighter



Dec. 1, 1931. K|LLMAN 1,834,029

COMBINED CIGARETTE DISPENSING APPARATUS AND LIGHTER Filed Feb. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3mm 7: JZKZ' Zlm an Guam;

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COMBINED CIGARETTE DISPENSING APPARATUS AND LIGHTER zaza Z4 Filed heb. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GU01 new Patented Dec. 1, 1931 PATENT OFFICE gnomes LKILLMAN, or NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE COMBINED CIGARETTE DISPENSING APPARATUS AND LIGHTER Application filed February 16, 1929. Serial No. 340,618.

This invention relates to a combined cigarette dispensing apparatus and lighter.

An important object of the invention is the provision in a device of this character of 5 a construction such that in event of failure of the lighter to operate during a dispensing operation, further attempts can be made to operate the lighter without the ejection of additional cigarettes.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a construction of this character of an arrangement such that as many cigarettes can be dispensed after an initial operation of the lighter as may be found desirable without the necessity of closing the gate or door through which the cigarettes are ejected.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of this character wherein the lighter mechanism and operating mechanism for ejecting the cigarettes may be readily removed as a unit to permit inspection or repair thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a construction of this character an arrangement such that the flint wheel or hardened steel roller which acts with the flint is not continuously subjected to wear at one point.

A still further and more specific object of the invention is to provide in a lighter of this character having a door through which the cigarettes may be ejected, an arrangement such that a combined means may be provided for opening the door when released and for extinguishing the lighter when the door is closed.

These and other objects I attaln by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a combined dispensing cigarette case and lighter constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevation thereof with the door in open position;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation thereof with the rear plate removed;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view therethrough taken approximately on the line 4-4: of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is abottom plan view of the lighting unit and operating mechanism;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figure 5.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the cigarette case or magazine comprises a flat, vertically elongated casing 10 having extending downward from the upper wall 11 an opening 12 formed through one end wall 13 thereof. This opening extends from said upper wall, which is preferably arcuately curved; to a point below a horizontal partition 14 intersecting this opening at a distance above the lower edge of the opening sufiicient to permit ejection of a cigarette above the lower edge. The space below this partition is subdivided between the end walls 13 and 15 by a vertical partition 16, so that two parallel cigarette chambers are produced (see Figure 3). In the lower end of each cigarette chamber is arranged a spring 17 which constantly moves cigarettes 0 arranged in the chamber thereabove upwardly against the partition 14. The partition 14 has formed therein slots 18 extending inwardly from the end of this partition which confronts the end wall 15. The end wall 15 is removable and preferably carries a retainer plate 15a which extends inwardly into the casing therefrom a short distance and is adapted to engage the ends of cigarettes and prevent rearward movement thereof. The adjacent end of the partition 14 is spaced from the end wall proper for a purpose presently to appear.

The upper end of the opening 12 is closed by a removable plate 19, the space between the lower end of this plate and the upper end of the end wall 13 constituting an opening closed by a door 20 hinged to one side wall of the casing. The inner face of this door has a latch element comprising a rigid strip 21 secured thereto and disposed, when the door is closed, immediately above the upper face of the partition 14.

This strip has a cam nose 22 and a pin receiving notch 23, the purpose of which will presently appear. The upper wall 11 has an opening defined by a tubular boss 24 which is disposed adjacent the end wall 13 and constitutes, as will hereinafter more fully appear, a flame access opening.

The combined ejecting and lighting unit comprises a chamber 25 for the reception of any of the lighting fuel commonly employed. The bottom wall 26 of this chamer has a continuation projecting beyond one end of the chamber and of approximate:

ly the same length as the partition 14.

This bottom wall has downwardly extending flanges 27 maintaining such wall in spaced relation to the partition when the unit is in position in the unit chamber 28.

. The extension of the base forms a. support for lighter mechanism, hereinafter more fully described, and the end wall of the fuel chamber 25 confronting such extension is provided with a false or insulating front, mdicated at 29. The lighter mechanism includes the usual wick element 30, the wick of which extends into the fuel chamber and a flint tube 31 which extends from end to end of the fuel chamber and projects through opposite end walls of this fuel chamber and of the insulating section 29. The flint 31a, as in the usual lighter, is projected by a spring 32, the tension of which is adjustable through an adjusting screw 33. The tube preferably has an extension 34 forming a support through which is directed the upper end of a shaft 35 which, above the support and in confronting relation to the flint, has a striker wheel 36 loosely mounted thereon. Above this striker wheel, aratchet wheel 37 is secured to the shaft 35 and the striker wheel has a spring click 38 coacting with the ratchet wheel.

Mounted upon the extension and surrounds ing the shaft 35 is a spring barrel 39 having a coil spring 40 therein, one end of which is secured to the shaft and the other end of which is secured to the barrel.

The outer end of the extension of the base has arising therefrom a vertical support 41 having an opening 42 formed therein in confronting relation to a tube 43, the inner end of which is closed and extends into the chamber 25 through the false front 29. A spring is disposed within the tube 43, and slidable in the opening 42 of the support 41 and the tube is a shaft 44 which is normally urged outwardly by this spring. This shaft has an arm 45 provided with an extinguishing cup 46 confronting the wick 30 and its gu de 30a. The outer end of this shaft 44 projects through the door opening when the door is opened, permitting the cup 46 to recede from the wick and expose the same. The pressure of the outer end of the shaft against the door causes this door to open when its latch mechanism, hereinafter more fully described, is released. On the other hand, the door when closed to engage its latch mechanism engages the end of the shaft44, forces the same inwardly and thus brings the cup 46 into engagement with the wick, extinguishing the flame thereof.

Confronting the'bottom wall 26 is a false bottom 2611 which is in spaced relation to this bottom wall. The shaft 35 passes through the bottom wall and false bottom wall and beneath the false bottom wall has secured thereto a gear wheel 47.

This gear wheel 47 meshes with a large gear wheel 48, the periphery of which projects through one of the flanges .27 of the bottom wall and through a slot 49 formed in the side wall of the casing 10 to which the door 20 is hinged for a distance sufficient to enable ready engagement thereof by the thumb. The gear 48 has a stop lug 5O engaging against the flange 27 through which it projects to limit its rotation by the spring 40 through the shaft 35 and gear 47.

It will be obvious that when the gear 48 is operated, the gear 47 will be rotated, thus causing rotation of the shaft 35, and that when the gear 48 is released, the spring 40 will return the shaft 35 and gears 47 and 48 to their normal positions. As the shaft 35 is rotated against the action of the spring 40, the click 38 will engage in the teeth of the ratchet 37, causing the striker wheel 36 to be operated and direct sparks against the wick 30 to ignite the same, but as the shaft returns to its position through the operation of the spring 40, the click will ride over the ratchet teeth and the striker wheel 36 will remain stationary by reason of its frictional engagement with the flint. Thus, the striker wheel is constantly advanced by oscillation and does not operate back and forth against the flint which would cause rapid destruction of both the striker wheel and the flint.

The gear 47 has upon its under face a downwardly extending pin 51 which, in the normal position of this gear, is arranged in the path of the cam nose 22 of the latch element 21 of the door. This cam nose engaging the pin causes rotation of the gear 47 against the action of the spring for a short distance, thereby permitting the door to close and the notch 23 of the latch element to align with the pin.

The spring then acts to return the pin to its normal position where it latches the door in its closed position against the action of the spring-pressed shaft 44. Initial movement of the gear 48 will cause a release of the pin 51 from the notch, thereby permitting the door to fly open under the influence of the springpressed shaft. At the same time, the cup 46 is positioned to expose the wick.

Between-the bottom wall 26 and false wall 26a of the combined lighter and ejecting unit is pivoted a lever 52, the rear end of this lever projecting slightly beyond the rear end of the walls 26, 26a and having a downturned flange 53 formed with a notch 54. The forward end of this lever projects beyond the forward ends of these walls a distance sufii cient to enable engagement and operation thereof when the door 20 is opened. Pivoted to the gear 48 upon a pin 55 is one end of a link, generally designated at 56. This link is formed in pivotally connected long and short sections 57 and 58, of which the short section is pivoted to the pin and the long section has its extremity directed through the notch 54 of the flange 53 of the lever 52. The free end of the long section is split and has directed therethrough a pin 60 which is held in adjusted positions by frictional engagement. This pin normally projects downwardly and by shifting the lever 52, may be brought into alignment with either of the slots 18 of the partition 14 and thus into alignment with the cigarettes in either of the storage compartments. This pin, as the gear is rotated, operates in the slot with which it is aligned and since it projects downwardly into the cigarette compartment,will engage the uppermost cigarette and cause the same to be projected a distance suflicient to enable engagement thereof by the fingers or the mouth.

In order that the cigarette may be projected a sufiicient distance to enable convenient engagement thereof, the jointed structure hereinbefore described is employed. It will, of course, be obvious that by the strain placed upon the pitman through the pin 55, the sections of this pitman would normally tend to remain in alignment with one another as the gear 48 is rotated. I, however, place upon the gear 48 a pin 61 which engages the short section 58 between its pivotal connection to the gear and its pivotal connection 62 to the long section and thus bends or k nks the connection between these sections and increases the effective stroke of the pitman.

In use of the apparatus, assuming the door 20 to be closed and the magazines to be filled with cigarettes, the operating gear 48 is struck or moved with the thumb to cause the same to rotate rapidly. Initial rotation of this gear, as hereinbefore described, causes disengagement of the pin 51 from the latch of the door so that the door is opened by the spring-pressed shaft 44 and the extinguishing cup 46 disengaged from the wick. The rotation of the gear additionally causes rotation of the striker wheel, showering sparks upon the now exposed wick, so that the same is ignited and at the same time, causes longitudinal movement of the pitman56. so that the pin 60 operating in the slot 18 with which it is aligned partially ejects the cigarette from this compartment. It will be obvious that witha cigarette partially projected, if

the igniter has failed to operate, continued operations of the gear 48 to causethe lighter to operate will be unaccompanied by ejection of a cigarette, for the reason that the partially ejected cigarette will prevent upward movement of the remaining cigarettes in the compartment to the point where the pin may engage the same.

()n the other hand, assuming it is desired that a number of cigarettes be taken from the case and that the initial operation ignites the lighter. then it is simply necessary to withdraw the cigarette and continue operation of the wheel to cause other cigarettes to be ejected until the desired number has been obtained. A cigarette will be ejected from a compartment at each operation of the wheel just as long as there are cigarettes in this compartment and the previously ejected cigarette is removed before the operation of the wheel. In'event a compartment empties, it is simply necessary that the operator shift the lever 52 with his thumb, directing the pitman to the other of the slots and the other of the compartments. In event it becomes necessary to remove the unit for any reason, this can be readily accomplished by simply shifting the pin 60 through the pitman, so that it projects upwardly and will clear the partition 14. The plate 15) is then removed together with the removable end wall 15. Pressure of the thumb upon the rear wall of the unit will then cause the unit to be ejected through the opening 12, the door 20 being slotted to admit of passage of the projecting portion of the gear 48. The flange 27 through which the gear projects is preferably provided with extending portions 27a, filling theportion of the slot of the casing side wall and the slot of the door when in closed position.

It will be obvious that apparatus of this character .may be very conveniently constructed and repaired and provides an extremely convenient means for dispensing and igniting the cigarette.

This is particularly true since the entire operations of ejecting and igniting can be accomplished with one hand. thus enabling drivers of vehicles to extract and light a cigarette without taking their attention from the road or without stopping their vehicles.

Since the construction hereinhefore set forth is capable of a certain range of change and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention, I do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In apparatus of the character described. a cigarette magazine having a discharge opening. a latched door for the opening, means urg ng the door to open position. and a single manually operable means for releasing the door and for projecting a cigarette from the magazine through the discharge opening, said means after withdrawal of a projected cigarette and before closing of said door being again operable to discharge a further cigarette.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a casing forming a housing for a lighter and a cigarette magazine having a discharge opening, a latched door for the opening, means urging the door to open position, and a lighter disposed within the housing inward of the door, .an igniter for the lighter, and a single manually operable means for releasing the door, operating the igniter and for projecting a cigarette from the magazine through the discharge opening, said means after withdrawal of a projected cigarette and before closing of said door being operable to discharge a further cigarette.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a casing forming a housing for a lighter and acigarctte magazine having a discharge opening, a latched door for the opening, means urging the door to open position, an igniter for the lighter, and a single manually operable means releasing the door, operating the igniter and partially projecting a cigarette from the magazine through the discharge opening, said means after complete withdrawal of a projected cigarette and before closing of said door being operable to discharge another cigarette, said means after projection of a cigarette and before complete withdrawal thereof being operable to operate the igniter without projecting a second cigarette.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a casing forming a housing for a lighter and a cigarette magazine having a discharge opening, a latched door for the opening, means urging the door to open position, an igniter for the lighter, and a single manually operable means operable from the exterior of the casing releasing the door, operating the igniter and for partially projecting a cigarette from the magazine through the discharge opening, said means after projection of a cigarette and before complete withdrawal thereof from the casing being operable to cause a second operation of the igniter without projecting a second cigarette.

5. In a cigarette magazine, a casing having a partition extending between opposed walls and subdividing the space between said walls into chambers each adapted to receive a. plurality of cigarettes arranged parallel to one of the Walls, means in each chamber for urging the cigarettes therein toward said wall, a wall for one end of the casing having an opening through which the cigarette of each chamber which is next adjacent the first named wall may be projected, a member shiftable longitudinally of the first named wall, means upon the member to engage the adjacent cigarette of a chamber with which it is aligned to project the same through said opening, and means for shifting said member transversely of said wall to align said means with a selected chamber.

6. In a cigarette magazine, a casing having a partition extending between opposed walls and subdividing the space between said walls into chambers each adapted to receive a plurality of cigarettes arranged parallel to one of the walls, means in each chamber for urging the cigarettes therein toward said wall, a wall for one end of the casing havin an opening through which the cigarette 0 each chamber which is next adjacent the first named wall may be projected, a member shiftable longitudinally of'the first named wall, means upon the member to engage the adjacent cigarette of a chamber with which it is aligned to project the same through said opening, means for shifting said member transversely of said wall to align said means with a selected chamber, a door for closing said opening, means for latching the door in closed position, and means for operating said member and for releasing said latch.

7. In a cigarette magazine, a casing having 'a partition extending between opposed walls and subdividing the space therebetween into chambers each adapted to receive a plurality of cigarettes arranged in parallel relation to one of said walls, means in each chamber for urging cigarettes therein toward said wall, said wall having a slot formed therethrough over each chamber and extending longitudinally of the chamber, a member selectively operable in either of said slots and adapted when moved longitudinally of the slot to engage the cigarette of the associated compartment which is next adjacent said wall and shift the same longitudinally, and an end wall for the casing having an opening formed therein adjacent the first named wall through which a cigarette of either chamber shifted by said member may project.

8. In a cigarette magazine, a casing having a partition extending between opposed walls and subdividing the space therebetween into chambers each adapted to receive a plurality of cigarettes arranged in parallel relation to one of said walls, means in each chamber for urging cigarettes therein toward said wall, said wall having a slot formed therethrough over each chamber and extending longitudinally of the chamber, a member selectively operable in either of said slots and adapted when moved longitudinally of the slot to engage the cigarette of the associated compartment which is next adjacent said wall and shift the same longitudinally, an end wall for the casing having an opening formed therein adjacent the first named wall through which a cigarette of either chamber shifted by said member may project, there being an oscillatory operating member adjacent said wall and having a portion projecting exteriof cigarettes arranged in parallel relation to over each cham nally of the chamber, a member selectively one of said walls, means in each chamber for urging cigarettes therein toward ,said Wall, said wall havin a slot formed therethrough %er and extending longitudioperable in either of said slots and adapted when moved longitudinally of the slot to engage the cigarette of the associated compartment which is next adjacent said wall and shift the same longitudinally, an end wall for the casing having an opening formed therein adjacent the first named wall through which a cigarette of either chamber shifted by said member may project, there being an oscillatory operating member adjacent said wall and having a portion projecting exteriorly of the casing to permit manual operation thereof, a pitman connected to said operating member and to the member associated with said slots, means normally yieldably maintaining the operating member in one position, the member associated with the slots being disposed beyond an end of the first named wall through which the slots open when the operating member is in said position, and means guiding the pitman when the member is in said position to assure its entry to the slot with which it is to coact.

10. In a cigarette magazine, a casing having a partition extending between opposed walls and subdividing the space therebetween into chambers each adapted to receive a plurality of cigarettes arranged in parallel relation to one of said walls, means in each chamber for urging cigarettes therein toward said wall, said wall having a slot formed therethrough over each chamber and extending longitudinally of the chamber, a member selectively operable in either of said slots and adapted when moved longitudinally of the slot to engage the cigarette of the associated compartment which is next adjacent said wall and shift the same longitudinally, an end wall for the casing having an opening formed therein adjacent the first named wall through which a cigarette of either chamber shifted by said member may project, there being an oscillatory operating member adjacent said wall and having a portion'projecting exteriorly of the casing to permit manual operation thereof, a pitman connected to said operatin member and to the member associated wit said slots, means normally yieldably maintaining the operating member in one position, the member associated with the slots being-disposed beyond an end of the first named wall through which 7 the. slots open when the operating member is in said position, and means guiding the pitman when the member is in said position to assure its entry to the slot with which it is to coact, said means comprising a pivoted lever shiftable to align the member which operates in the slots with a selected slot.

11. In apparatus of the character described, a casing forming a housing for a lighter and acigarette magazine having a discharge opening, a latched door for the opening, means urging the door to open positlon, an igniter for the lighter, a rotatable member rotation of which operates the igniter and initial movement of which releases the door, a member for rotating said rotatable member, and means operated by the last named member for projecting a cigarette from the magazine through the discharge opening.

12.'In apparatus of the character described, a casing forming a housing for a lighter and a cigarette magazine having a discharge opening, a latched door for the opening, means urging the door to open position, an igniter for the lighter, a rotatable member rotation of which operates the igniter and initial movement of which releases the door, an operating member for the rotatable member shiftable in opposite directions, a shaft for the rotatable member and secured thereto, means connecting the igniter to the shaft during rotation of the rotatable member and shaft in one direction and disconnecting the rotatable member from the shaft during rotation in the opposite direction, primary movement of said rotatable member in the first named direction releasing the door, and means operated by the operating member during an operation thereof operating said rotatable member in the first named direction for projecting a cigarette from the magazine through the discharge opening.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a casing forming a housing for a lighter and a cigarette magazine having a discharge opening, a latched door for the opening, means urging the door to open position, an igniter for the lighter, a single means for releasing the door, operating the igniter and for projecting a cigarette from the magazine through the discharge opening, the means urging the door to an open position comprising a spring-pressed shaft and a snuffer carried b the lig ter as the shaft recedes when the door is closed.

14. A device of the character described, including a casing formed to provide a cigarette magazine, and a lighter compartment, one wall of the casing having an opening into said compartment and the upper end of the magazine, a spring opened door normally said shaft and operating to snuff closing said opening, a latch for holding said door closed, a lighter disposed within said compartment, an igniter therefor, having an operating means upon the exterior of the casing, an ejector disposed in the magazine opposite the opening, means for feeding the cigarette toward said ejector, means connecting the cigarette ejector with the igniter to cause the simultaneous actuation of the igniter and the ejector, and means operated by the actuation of the igniter to release said door.

15. A device of the character described, including a casing formed to provide a cigarette magazine, and a lighter compartment,

one Wall of the casing having an opening into said compartment and the upper end of the magazine, a spring opened door normally closing said opening, a latch for holding-said door closed, a lighter disposed Within said compartment, an igniter therefor, having an operating means upon the exterior of the easing, an ejector disposed in the magazine opposite the opening, means for feeding cigarettes toward said ejector, means connecting the cigarette ejector with the igniter to cause the simultaneous actuation of the igniter and the ejector, means operated by the actuation of the igniter to release said door, and means actuated by a closing of the door to snuff the lighter.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

THOMAS A. KILLMAN. 

